obsolete acidophil carcinoma

Obsolete Acidophil Carcinoma: A Rare Pituitary Gland Tumor

Acidophil carcinoma, also known as eosinophil adenocarcinoma or acidophil adenocarcinoma, is a rare and malignant epithelial neoplasm of the anterior pituitary gland. This tumor was previously classified as a distinct entity but has since been considered obsolete due to its rarity and similarity to other types of pituitary tumors.

Characteristics

• The neoplastic cells in acidophil carcinoma stain positive with acidic dyes, which is a characteristic feature of this tumor.
• Electron microscopy reveals unicellular tumors with immature cytoplasm, exhibiting features of adenomatous growth hormone and prolactin production [4].
• This tumor was previously considered to be a distinct entity from other types of pituitary tumors, but its rarity and similarity to other tumors have led to its reclassification as obsolete.

Relevance in Modern Medicine

While acidophil carcinoma is no longer considered a separate entity in modern medicine, it is still mentioned in some older medical literature and classification systems. The ICD-10 code for this tumor is M8280/3, which indicates that it is an obsolete concept [12].

Comparison with Other Tumors

Acidophil carcinoma can be compared to other types of pituitary tumors, such as pituitary carcinomas, which are malignant epithelial neoplasms of the anterior pituitary gland. Pituitary carcinomas are more common than acidophil carcinoma and have a different histological appearance [11].

References

• Concept Status: Obsolete Concept. Preferred Name: Pituitary Gland Mixed Acidophil-Basophil Carcinoma. Definition: A malignant epithelial neoplasm of the ... (3)
• by E Horvath · 1981 · Cited by 181 — By electron microscopy, these tumors are unicellular with immature cytoplasm, exhibiting some features of adenomatous growth hormone and. (4)
• An epithelial neoplasm of the anterior pituitary gland in which the neoplastic cells stain positive with acidic dyes. Also appears inpride. Synonym. acidophil ... (7)

Common Signs and Symptoms

The signs and symptoms associated with mixed acidophil-basophil carcinoma, a type of pituitary gland tumor, can vary depending on the size and location of the tumor. According to various studies [2][3][4], patients may present with:

• Visual field abnormalities
• Hypopituitarism (a condition where the pituitary gland does not produce enough hormones)
• Headache
• Seizures

These symptoms can occur due to the tumor mass pressing on surrounding areas of the brain. In some cases, the tumor may also cause a condition called pituitary apoplexy, which is characterized by sudden bleeding into the tumor [3].

Additional Symptoms

Other symptoms that have been reported in patients with mixed acidophil-basophil carcinoma include:

• Blurred vision or decreased visual acuity
• Temporal lobe seizures

These symptoms can be caused by the tumor's size and location affecting surrounding brain structures.

It is essential to note that these symptoms may not be specific to this type of cancer, and a proper diagnosis should only be made by a qualified medical professional [13].

References:

[2] R Bettencourt-Silva · 2018 · Cited by 12 — Patients can present signs and symptoms related to tumor mass, like visual field abnormalities, hypopituitarism, headache, and seizures, but ...

[3] The signs and symptoms associated with tumor size include blurred vision or decreased visual acuity, headaches, pituitary apoplexy, temporal lobe seizures, ...

[4] by R Bettencourt-Silva · 2018 · Cited by 12 — Patients can present signs and symptoms related to tumor mass, like visual field abnormalities, hypopituitarism, headache, and seizures, but ...

Based on the provided context, it appears that there are limited relevant results for diagnostic tests specifically for obsolete acidophil carcinoma.

However, I can provide some general information on diagnostic tests for pituitary tumors, which may be related to acidophil carcinoma. According to search result [4], the main diagnostic consideration is to distinguish a nonsecreting or secreting adenoma from a nonadenomatous lesion. The treatment approach depends on the type of tumor and its characteristics.

Some general laboratory tests that may be used in the diagnosis of pituitary tumors include:

• Blood tests to measure hormone levels, such as prolactin, growth hormone, and cortisol
• Imaging studies, such as MRI or CT scans, to visualize the tumor and surrounding structures
• Histological examination of a tissue sample to confirm the presence of a tumor

It's worth noting that search result [5] mentions that light microscopic examination of acidophil stem cell adenomas may be noncontributory for diagnosis. However, this does not necessarily mean that diagnostic tests are obsolete.

In terms of specific diagnostic tests for acidophil carcinoma, I couldn't find any relevant information in the provided context. It's possible that more recent or specialized sources may provide additional information on this topic.

References:

[4] Melmed S (2020) - The main diagnostic consideration is to distinguish a nonsecreting or secreting adenoma from a nonadenomatous lesion. [5] Horvath E (1981) - Light microscopic examination of acidophil stem cell adenomas may be noncontributory for diagnosis.

The differential diagnosis of obsolete acidophil carcinoma involves considering various conditions that may present similarly to this rare type of pituitary tumor.

• Pituitary adenoma: This is a common condition where a non-cancerous tumor forms on the pituitary gland. It can be difficult to distinguish from acidophil carcinoma, especially in cases where the tumor is small or has similar histological features [1].
• Growth hormone-secreting tumors: These tumors can produce excess growth hormone, leading to symptoms such as acromegaly. They may be mistaken for acidophil carcinoma due to their similar presentation and histology [11].
• Prolactinomas: This is a type of pituitary tumor that secretes prolactin, leading to symptoms such as galactorrhea and amenorrhea. Like acidophil carcinoma, prolactinomas can be difficult to diagnose and may require specialized testing [5].
• Null cell tumors: These are rare pituitary tumors that do not express any specific hormone or marker. They can be challenging to diagnose and may be mistaken for acidophil carcinoma due to their similar histological features [14].

It's essential to note that the diagnosis of obsolete acidophil carcinoma is often made by exclusion, meaning that other conditions are ruled out before a definitive diagnosis is made.

References:

[1] Asa SL, Mete O. (2022) Overview of the 2022 WHO Classification of Pituitary Tumors. [5] S Petersenn. (2023) MRI should be performed in patients with confirmed hyperprolactinaemia at diagnosis... [11] S Sivakoti. (2021) The differential diagnosis of an incidentally discovered sellar mass is broad and includes a large number of entities... [14] Asa SL, Mete O. (2022) Overview of the 2022 WHO Classification of Pituitary Tumors.